Greensboro City Council Passes New $620M Budget

The Greensboro City Council unanimously approved a new city budget at this week's meeting.

The $620 million budget restores about $5 million in funding cut last year due to the pandemic. That's allowed for expansion in some areas. 

Eight additional officer positions will be added to the Greensboro Police Department in the new fiscal year. Five new positions were added back in December, including homicide detectives and a victim's advocate. It's part of the city's effort to reduce violent crime, which has risen significantly in the past five years.

The budget also provides funding for new positions in the Minority and Women Business Enterprise program, the Human Rights Department, and Parks and Recreation. 

And it includes a bump in city water rates, which is expected to add about $2 to the average customer's monthly bill. 

The full budget will be available on the city's website July 1.